Car-coupling



Model.)

T. SWEETLAND. GAR'U'OUPLING. No, 262,854. Patented Aug. 15 1882.

INVENTDR Jwmam/ ATTORNEYS.

4 av Y J I UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK SWEETLAND, ()F EDWARDSBURG, MICHIGAN.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 262,854, dated August 15, 1882.

1 Application filed March 23,1882. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK SWEETLAND, of Edwardsburg, in the countyof Cass and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Link-Guide for Car-Couplin gs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved device for holding car-coupling links in such a manner that the links can be passed into the draw-heads without endangering the hands of the operator.

The invention consists in a plate provided withahandle-slot and witha slot throughwhich the coupling-link is passed, and with a key fitting into part of the slot through which the link is passed, whereby the slot can be enlarged to admit the link, and can be decreased in size when the link is inserted to prevent withdraw ing the link, which has its sides pressed together at the middle. By means of this plate the link can be conveniently guided into the draw-head. l

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of my improved link-guide, showing the link in perspective. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same on the line at a, Fig. 1.

A plate, A, of metal or other suitable material, is provided at its upper end with a handle-slot, B, or equivalent device for conveniently holding the plate A. In its lower art this plate A is provided with a transverse slot, (3, the edges of which are rounded or beveled to permit a free and easy movement of the coupling-link D, which is passed through this slot 0. The slot 0 is extended toward one side, and this extension can be closed by means of a key, E, formed of two blocks or plates, E, which have their edges beveled outward from the inner toward the outer surfaces. The inner edge of the key (the edge next to the link) is shorter than the outer edge of the key. This prevents the key from being displaced toward the link, and thereby interfering with the free movement of the link. The shape of the extension on the end of the slot corresponds with the shape of the key. The edges of the extension of the slot 0 are beveled outward from the middle of the edges. The two blocks, E, are held together by a rivet or a screw-bolt, F, passed through them, or by means of a pintle and a Washer, G, and pin H. The sides of the link D are pressed toward each other at the middle, so that the link will be narrower at the middle than at the ends.

The operation is as follows: The key is removed, whereby the slot 0 is enlarged, and the link D is passed through the slot (J. Then the key is replaced and locked in place by means of a rivet or the bolt F, whereby the size of the slot 0 will be decreased, so that only the middle narrow part of the link can move freely in the slot, and the link D cannot be withdrawn from the slot and will be held in the plate A. The link can be moved up and down or sidewise, as the difference in height or position of the draw-heads may require. By means of the plate A the link can be carried and raised and lowered and guided into the draw-heads. The hand of the operator will be above the draw-heads, and when the draw-heads come together there is no danger of crushing the operators hand or arm, as

is the case if the cars are coupled by means of links in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A link-guide for coupling cars, made substantially as herein shown and described, and consisting of a plate provided with a slot through which the link can pass, and with a removable key for closing part of this slot in the plate, as set forth.

2. In a linkguide for coupling cars, the combination, with the plate A, provided with slots B and G, of the removable key E for closing part of the slot 0, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a link guide for coupling cars, the combination, with the plate A, provided with slots B and O, of the blocks E E and the gether at the middle, substantially as herein bolt F, substantially as herein shown and deshown and described, and for the purpose set scribed, and for the purpose set forth. forth.

4. In a link-guide for coupling cars, the FRANK SWEETLAND.

5 combination, with the plate A, provided with Witnesses:

the slots B and O, of the key E, and the WM. W. SWEETLAND, coupling-link D, having its sides pressed to- JOHN MGFOSTER. 

